coxsackievirus
The coxsackievirus is an enterovirus. Enteroviruses are very small viruses found in the intestines and stool.
In this test are measured in the blood (serum):
- Coxsackie A/B virus IgA
- Coxsackie A/B virus IgG
- Enterovirus (Coxsackie A/B virus) IgM
There are two main groups of coxsackieviruses: type A and type B. To these main groups belong again different types of coxsackieviruses.
Type A
Type A of coxsackievirus causes ulcers in the mouth and "hand, foot and mouth disease."
Type B
Type B of coxsackievirus causes pain and inflammation in the chest. All other symptoms can be caused by either type of enterovirus.
Coxsackieviruses can cause a variety of symptoms, ranging from fever without other symptoms to sore throat, diarrhea, vomiting, rash, attacks of muscle pain, inflammation of the liver, and inflammation of the pericardium.
In infants, a coxsackievirus infection sometimes progresses very seriously, with, for example, meningitis, blood poisoning or pneumonia. The coxsackievirus is also the causative agent of 'hand, foot and mouth disease' (not to be confused with foot-and-mouth disease).
Treatment is aimed at controlling the symptoms the virus itself cannot be tackled.
One of the syndromes caused by the virus is called Bornholm disease. In this case, the pleura and the pulmonary membrane are inflamed (pleuritis) by the virus. This causes severe chest pain, which can occur in attacks. Furthermore, it is thought that the virus may play a role in the development of type I diabetes (autoimmune).
It is also characterized by small red dots - rashes under the feet, hands, legs, arms and sometimes face. Often not on the abdomen so it quickly takes on the same appearance as an allergy. It often occurs in late August early September. Children may complain of pain and that they do not want to walk because of this.
